Newtown will again host three tree lighting celebrations this holiday season. Sandy Hook will open the season with its event on December 7, Hawleyville will follow the next night, and the town’s original tree lighting event will return to Ram Pasture on December 13.

Readers are invited to join Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) for its 24th Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7, in Sandy Hook Village.

This is a fun, family-friendly outdoor event that will have festivities within the Church Hill Road — Washington Avenue — Riverside Road — Glen Road business district starting at 4 pm. All ages will be invited to meet Santa Claus and enjoy karaoke from 5 to 6 pm, with the tree in Sandy Hook Center to then be lit at 6.

Those who give Santa a nonperishable food item for FAITH Food Pantry before 6 o’clock will be entered into a drawing for the opportunity to light the tree.

Caroling will follow.

For additional information visit SandyHookVillage.com.

Hawleyville Event

Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company will host the Hawleyville Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 8. Special events will be presented from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the fire station, 34 Hawleyville Road.

Entertainment will be provided by The Spotlight Dancers and Dean Snellback, and refreshments will be provided by Papa Al’s Pizza and Hawleyville Post Office employees.

Santa will return for visits and the annual lighting of the tree, rain or shine.

40th Annual Ram Pasture Lighting

The oldest of the three such events in town, the Ram Pasture Tree Lighting was first celebrated December 6, 1985.

Newtown Parks & Recreation, with support from The Borough of Newtown, will celebrate the 40th annual tree lighting of a tree at the historic property this season on Friday, December 13.

As in years past, live entertainment will begin at 6:30. Local dancers and high school students traditionally warm up the crowd ahead of Santa’s arrival and then the lighting of the tree.

Adopt & Decorate A Lamp Post

The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) has announced its Eighth Annual Adopt A Lamppost and Decorating Day.

The program is inviting clubs, organizations, businesses, families, et al to “adopt” a lamp post for the holiday season. There are six large lampposts, available for $125 each; and 79 additional poles, available for $75 each.

Adoption is available through SandyHookVillage.com. Sales are first-come, first-served and can be done with credit/debit cards or PayPal.

Donors will be recognized with a large gift tag on their pole, which will have their name on it. The “adoption fees” also cover pine roping, a bow, and lights. Additional details are available through SandyHookVillage.com.

This year’s Decorating Party is planned for Sunday, December 1, at 10 am sharp, at the Heritage Park Pavilion, 7 Glen Road. The fun, family-friendly outdoor event offers participants a chance to decorate their selected lamppost.

Ram Pasture Event Donations

Ahead of the milestone celebration at Ram Pasture next month, donations are sought to cover the costs associated with the annual tree event.

The fundraising effort will continue through the end of the year.

Donors may contribute $10 for a bulb or luminaria to honor someone special. Luminaria will line Ram Pasture and many of the roads in the immediate area on December 13.

Readers are invited to use the coupon offered here to indicate who they are honoring, and whether they wish to sponsor someone with a luminaria or bulb.

Checks should be made payable to Newtown Parks & Recreation Park Gift Fund, and mailed to Newtown Parks & Recreation, 8 Simpson Street, Newtown CT 06470.

Checks can also be dropped off at the Parks & Recreation office, within Newtown Community Center on Simpson Street.

Donations can also be done online at newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation.